Pubdate: Thu, 07 Mar 2002
Source: Badger Herald (WI)
Copyright: 2002 Badger Herald
Contact: http://www.badgerherald.com/about/contact_staff.shtml
Website: http://www.badgerherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/711
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n393/a03.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/racial.htm (Racial Issues)
Note: Title by MAP Editor

DRUG WAR WAGED IN RACIST MANNER THROUGHOUT U.S.

In regard to Kristin Wieben's March 4 column on Madison's seemingly racist 
anti-loitering ordinance: U.S. government statistics reveal the drug war is 
being waged in a racist manner throughout the nation. Blacks and whites use 
drugs at roughly the same rates.

Although only 15 percent of the nation's drug users are black, blacks 
account for 37 percent of those arrested for drug violations, over 42 
percent of those in federal prisons for drug violations, and almost 60 
percent of those in state prisons for drug felonies. Support for the drug 
war would end overnight if whites were incarcerated for drugs at the same 
rate as minorities.

It's worth noting America's drug laws were once intended as a means of 
disenfranchising minorities. The Harrison Narcotics Act of 1914 was 
preceded by a wave of anti-immigrant sentiment. Opium was identified with 
Chinese laborers, marijuana with Mexicans and cocaine with African Americans.

Jim Crow was very much alive in the early 20th century. Racial profiling 
was expected. Granted, modern-day drug warriors are (hopefully) not out to 
incarcerate as many minorities as possible.

Nonetheless, the racist intent on the part of early drug warriors is very 
relevant to today's racist outcomes. With the passage of time, the drug war 
has evolved into an intergenerational culture war. With members of the '60s 
counterculture grown up, youth rave culture is the latest target.

Ironically, the two deadliest recreational drugs are both legal.

Alcohol poisoning kills thousands annually, more than all illegal drugs 
combined.

Tobacco is one of the most addictive drugs available and by far the 
deadliest. It's not health outcomes that determine America's drug laws, but 
rather cultural norms.

Robert Sharpe, M.P.A.

Program Officer, Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Beth